The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1887-07-14
MR.. CLEVELAND DECLINES.
His Reasons! for not Attending the
G. A r. Encampment at St. Louis

His Reasons! for not Attending the
G. A r. Encampment at St. Louis.
ST. LOUIS, July 7.-Mayor Francis
has received the following letter
from President Cleveland, declining
to visit St. Louis and giving reasons
therefor:
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
WASHINGTON, D. c., July 4, 1887. !
To Hon. David r. Francis, Mayor
and Chairman.
My Dear Sir-When I received
the extremely cordial and gratifying
Invitation from the citizens of st.
Louis, rendered by number Of her
representative men, to visit that city
during the national encampment Of
the Grand Army of the Republic, !
had been contemplating for some
time the acceptance of the invitation
from that organization to the same
effect, and had concurred in the pleas
ure it would afford me if it should be
possible to meet, not only the mem
bers of the Grand Army Of the Re-
public but the people of ST. Louis
and other cities in the West, which
the occasion would give me an oppor-
tunitv to visit. The exactions Of
my public duties I felt to be so IN
certain, however, that when first con-
frontet by the delegation, of which
you were head, I expected to do no
more at that time than to promise the
consideration of the double invita-
sioa rendered me and to express tue
pleasure it would give me to accept
the same thereafter, if possible. But
the cordiality and sincerity of your
presentation, reinforced by the hear
tiness of the good people who sur
rounded you, so impressed me that I
could not resist the feeling which
prompted me to assure you on the
spot that would be !ith you and
the Grand Army of the Republic at
the time designated, if nothing hap
pened in the meantime to absolutely
prevent me from leaving Washington.
Immediately upon the public an
nouncement of this conclusion, eS-
pressions emanating from certain i'm
portant members of the Grand Army
of the Republic, and increasing in
volume and virulepce constrained
me to review my acceptance Of these
invitations. The expressions re-
ferred to 60 to the extent of declaring
that I would be an unwelcome guest
at the time and place Of the National
Encampment. This statement is
g. based, as we'll as can judge, upon
e.tain official acts Of mine, involv-
: ~; important public interests, done
:, ecss restraints and obligations OF
lad fort Office which do not ap. -.
|sae's and oord with the new. w!snss @ ol
IN - b. Roadass Of the Grand Army
girgen m Blacks. refuse to believe
SeGhhn Tt;s not founded upon
rs, AYE dirso,v,;sry dirs1o very Large.
al anndoia-forRPs ohol,o nonoF
emesdent, vi, o-o"l,
Qnsoe at Co. are
ssys on the ysa staae
rich miIs
outEdTc 81
NAL amSf q
His = the %xs
Nuns to bs4hI bs4;ch =
t,r3RSc, thstS thtSh preva-
hny5~Shg, and such
s sI6ss be - I>@<sIon' which should
-1']E5Ss, r'o~sSas peaceful and cordial,
!.h,Ssy lS cannot be ignored.
<HI beg you to understand that | am
y not conscious Of any act Of mine
which should make me fear to meet
the grand jury Of the Republic Or any
other assemblage of my fellow-citi-
zens. An account Of my official
stewardship is always ready for pre-
sentation to my couutrymen. I
should not be frank if failed to con-
fess, while disclaimiDg all resent
ment, that have been hurt by the
unworthy and wanton attacks upon
me growing out of this matter, and
the reckless manner in which my &C
tiops have been misrepresented both
publicly and privately for which how;
ever. the Grand Army Of the Repub.
lie, as body is by no means respon'
s.ble. The threats Of personal vic.
lence and harm in case ! undertake
the trip in question, which scores OF
misguided, unbalanced men under
the stimulation of excitement have
made are not even considered. Ra.
ther than abandon my visit to the
West and dissppoint your citizens,
e olona nanaarnad